Welsh rally ace Gwyndaf Evans claims to be more relaxed than he's ever been ahead of this weekend's Rally of Great Britain.

Evans, from Dolgellau in mid Wales, says he's feeling fit, laid back, and fully focused ahead of the big World Championship decider, that starts in Cardiff on Thursday night.

That's despite knowing he won't be getting behind the wheel of the SEAT he'll be driving until tomorrow night.

Because while other drivers and their teams have been involved in exhaustive testing in the Welsh forests, Evans and his Spanish bosses have decided to leave it to the last minute.

"We have tested like mad before events in the past, and that alone certainly doesn't guarantee you a good result," said Evans.

"On other occasions we haven't expected much and then got a good result.

"Whatever, I'm going to enjoy the event, try my best, and see what happens.

"I feel very different to what I have done in previous years. I've contested every Rally of Great Britain since 1987 and this year the pressure and tension for me is much less than normal.

"The feeling I have is that I just want to get out there and enjoy it.

"As for the car, I haven't driven it since the SEAT Lurgan Park Rally in July, and I won't be able to drive until the official shake-down tomorrow night.

"It will be a disadvantage, but it's something that we've known about and prepared for.

"We will use the same suspension setting as we did on last year's event, and the seat fitting and steering column will be the same as I used at Lurgan Park. It should fit me like a glove."

The Network Q Rally starts in Cardiff on Thursday night, before returning to the capital on Sunday. For more details and ticket information phone (029) 20 230130 or 878442, or call up the events official website .